EIGHT good causes across Hampshire are receiving a much-needed boost to support their vital work, after being awarded a share of just over £10,000 from homebuilder CALA Homes.

The Community Bursary initiative invites charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to apply for a share of funding from CALA, with more than 300 worthy causes now having received over £300,000 since CALA launched the initiative in 2016.

The scheme was paused in 2020 as a result of the March lockdown, but was re-launched earlier this year to support groups and charities in need, particularly those which have been impacted by the pandemic.

The local organisations receiving a share of the fund in Hampshire are:

Hampshire Search and Rescue, Winchester Churches Nightshelter, Winchester Hospice, Wessex Children's Hospice Trust, Thomas Morley Trust aka The Disabled Sailors Association, Treloar Trust, SeeAbility Aldershot and Liss Infant School.•

Andrew Wagstaff, regional managing director, said: “The last 12 months have been particularly hard for the charity and volunteering sectors, with many seeing reduced funding at a time when local communities need their services most.

“CALA aims to make a positive and lasting contribution to the communities in which we build and that’s more important now than ever. We know that this year’s Bursary will mean a great deal to the charities selected and we can’t wait to follow their progress and see how the donations will make a real difference to local people.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply to the CALA Community Bursary this year and congratulate each and every one of them on the fantastic work they are doing within their communities.”

For further information on the CALA Homes Community Bursary, visit www.cala.co.uk/bursary.